5 Surprising Ways Your Oral and Overall Health Are Connected

Why You Should Care About the Mouth-Body Connection

Your best overall health is directly impacted by an often-overlooked factor: the state of your oral health. Along with allowing you to smile, kiss, and speak, your mouth is the start of your digestive system and the secondary entry of your respiratory system. Put another way, your mouth is a portal that allows you to interact with the outside world.

Of course, the outside world (like your mouth itself) is teeming with countless strains of microbes. While many of these bacteria support your oral and overall well-being, others can trigger inflammation, cause irreversible tissue damage, and contribute to systemic disease. Fortunately, with daily oral hygiene habits and routine dental visits, you can keep your mouth and its microbiome healthy—and support a healthy smile, mind, and body.

From your sexual health to cognitive function, here are six surprising ways your oral and overall health are connected.

1. Sustain male sexual health.

Periodontal (gum) disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that has been shown to damage the endothelial cells that line all the blood vessels in your body and cause decreased blood flow. Along with being associated with an increased risk in heart disease (see #3), periodontal disease is also associated with erectile dysfunction (ED), low sperm motility, impotence, and prostate disease.

Recent studies have shown that men in their 30s with severe periodontal disease are three times more likely to experience erection issues. In that same study, men diagnosed with erectile dysfunction were almost 80% more likely to have chronic gum disease. Along with healthy lifestyle habits, getting the preventative and restorative dental care you need can help you sustain your sexual health and overall well-being at every age.

2. Experience a healthy pregnancy.

As your body creates and nurtures new life during pregnancy, your body produces high levels of estrogen and progesterone. While this flush of hormones enables your body to provide vital support to your developing baby, it can also increase blood flow to your gums and trigger inflammation (called pregnancy gingivitis). Along with causing your gums to swell and bleed with brushing or flossing, pregnancy gingivitis can make your mouth more sensitive to the oral bacteria that causes gum disease and cavities.

Periodontal disease is of particular concern for pregnant women, as it is associated with preterm labor and low-birthweight babies. To support a healthy pregnancy for both mom and baby, the American Academy of Periodontology recommends a periodontal evaluation for women who are considering becoming pregnant or are pregnant. If you’re currently pregnant, it’s best to schedule your dental visit before your third trimester, when lying on your back for extended periods is not recommended.

3. Keep your heart healthy.

While researchers are still working to understand the connection, recent research shows a strong connection between oral health and heart disease. Your gums act as a bacterial barrier between your mouth and your bloodstream. If the health of your gums is compromised due to periodontal disease, bacteria can leach into your bloodstream and trigger your immune system to fight back. This immune response triggers inflammation in your blood vessels and damages their delicate lining.

While tooth loss may be linked to coronary artery disease, those with chronic periodontal disease are at an increased risk of developing heart disease or exacerbating existing cardiovascular conditions that cause heart attacks and strokes. In addition to regular exercise, a healthy diet, and any recommendations from your doctor, you can help ensure a healthy cardiovascular system by caring for your oral health daily and visiting our dental office for twice annual exams and cleanings.

4. Support lifelong brain health.

Just as it can impact the health of your heart and blood vessels, the systemic inflammation caused by periodontal disease can take a negative toll on the health of your brain. Recent research strongly suggests that the bacteria that causes periodontal disease is associated with dementia, especially vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Though the cause isn’t completely understood, Alzheimer’s disease is thought to be caused by an abnormal buildup of protein plaques in the brain that starts years before symptoms appear. A recent study suggests that a major indicator of Alzheimer’s (plaques of beta-amyloid protein) may be produced in response to the most common bacteria that causes gum disease (Porphyromonas gingivalis). So along with keeping your smile strong and youthful-looking, ensuring your gums stay healthy with daily brushing, flossing, preventative dental care, and restorative dental treatments can help you stay mentally vibrant throughout your entire lifetime.

5. Prevent and manage diabetes.

Diabetes and gum disease are a two-way street. While periodontal disease increases your risk of type II diabetes, having diabetes increases your risk of developing periodontal disease, affecting 22% of those who have been diagnosed. Periodontal disease can cause your blood sugar to rise, which makes it more difficult to regulate blood sugar. This increases the risk for diabetic complications, including heart attacks, strokes, and eye and kidney damage.

If your gums are red, swollen, or painful or you suspect you have gum disease, periodontal therapy can help you control periodontal disease and stabilize blood sugar levels. Diabetes can also cause your mouth to produce less saliva, which can increase your risk of cavities. Through routine dental visits, our dentists can help you manage dry mouth, prevent cavities, and catch oral health issues in their earliest stages.

As the primary health care providers for your mouth and teeth, Dr. Dickinson Sr., Dr. Branon, and Dr. Dickinson Jr. are here to provide you and your family with holistic dentistry that supports a healthy mouth-body connection. To learn more about our integrative approach to dental care or to schedule an appointment, contact our office today.

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